Texas energy retailer launches electric vehicle leasing business

Utilities across the country are working to enable the electric vehicle transition, but Octopus Energy says its new leasing and “smart charging” plan is unique.

By Robert Walton • July 11, 2022

Interest in EVs has grown substantially, survey shows

A Consumer Reports survey shows 14% of consumers would buy or lease an electric vehicle if shopping today, but high purchase costs and low awareness of incentives remain barriers.

By Dan Zukowski • July 7, 2022

Switching to efficient electric heat pumps and appliances could save Oregon $1.1B through 2050, study finds

In Portland, for instance, households that electrify could save $161 a year on energy compared to homes that burn gas. Meanwhile, the city of Eugene is pursuing a local policy to wean developers off natural gas in new construction.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 6, 2022

Seattle residents can request an EV charger on their street

By installing EV chargers on utility poles and freestanding structures, Seattle aims to meet the charging needs of residents in multifamily housing or others who don’t have garages, carports, or driveways.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 29, 2022

General Motors aims to make EV charging accessible to apartment residents

Working with cities, states and local GM dealers, the automaker wants to solve the challenge of charging access for those who live in multifamily dwellings, its EV charging analyst explains.

By Dan Zukowski • June 28, 2022

Carpooling’s solution to rising gas prices

Commuters that carpool to work can offset the mounting costs of increased gas prices while helping the environment.

June 21, 2022

California needs to triple historical decarbonization rates to meet 2030 carbon target, report finds

“The key takeaway is that California is leaving beneficial, earlier action on the table,” said Chris Busch, research director with Energy Innovation and primary author of the report. 

By Kavya Balaraman • June 17, 2022

Making urban placemaking equitable through collaboration

What makes a city a city? Ask 10 people, and you’ll likely receive 10 different answers: the community, the buildings, the culture, the restaurants.

By Celeste Frye • June 16, 2022

Reno launches first-ever municipal blockchain app to track public transactions

Reno launches first-ever municipal blockchain app to track public transactions

By Andy Castillo • June 16, 2022

DOT proposes rules for national EV charging network, including 97% uptime and 150 kW requirements

The proposal, which requires fast-charging stations to offer a standard plug and at least four charging ports, would apply to projects funded by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program.

By Robert Walton • June 10, 2022

All signs point to a ‘growing appetite’ for digital twins: report

Implementation is expected to increase 36% over the next five years, according to a Capgemini Research Institute report. But one smart city expert cautions city leaders against falling for the technology's "hype.”

By Cailin Crowe • June 8, 2022

Inside Ithaca’s plan to electrify 6,000 buildings and grow a regional green workforce using private equity funds

The city has mustered $105 million in private funds to support low-cost loans for businesses and residents to install heat pumps.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2022

Austin’s new chief resiliency officer talks equipping communities in face of extreme weather, violence, injustice

Former Houston official Laura Patiño talks about lessons learned from Winter Storm Uri, the push to enact "resilience hubs" and the potential for a national chief resilience officer. 

By Maria Rachal • May 31, 2022

Washington, DC, is ‘ideally poised for electrification,’ Sierra Club finds. The city’s gas utility disagrees.

Renewable natural gas and green hydrogen could help the nation's capital avoid costly electric grid upgrades, according to Washington Gas.

By Robert Walton • May 13, 2022

California approves $11.7M vehicle-to-grid pilots in PG&E footprint

The programs will support the build-out of bidirectional charging equipment, which regulators say can provide broader resiliency benefits.

By Kavya Balaraman • Updated May 9, 2022

Research highlights municipal bond issuers that have the fastest audit times

Research highlights municipal bond issuers that have the fastest audit times

By Andy Castillo • May 6, 2022

Cities steadily adding more EV chargers for public to use

Cities steadily adding more EV chargers for public to use

By Michael Keating • May 2, 2022

The race to add more public EV chargers

To meet President Biden's goal for half of all U.S. vehicles sold to be zero-emission by 2030, the country will need 20 times more EV chargers. To support those ambitions, companies are developing innovative charging technologies.

By Dan Zukowski • April 28, 2022

Addressing water waste is one way cities and counties can increase resilience against drought conditions

In this internet-of-things era, municipal infrastructure is becoming increasingly smart—from electrical grids to bridges and city water systems, which can keep public administrators connected and reduce chronic water waste.

By Andy Castillo • April 26, 2022

Considerations for building an equitable, profitable and reliable EV infrastructure

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Electric v...

By Michelle Havich • April 20, 2022

Adaptive reuse and municipal facilities: Strengthening mutual trust

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Every comm...

By Brian Meade, Louise Kowalczyk • April 6, 2022

Latest UN climate change report shines new light on well-documented urban mitigation strategies

Cities must push harder to decarbonize buildings and transform transportation norms, the report suggests, as the next three years are critical if the world is to change the course of global warming.

By Maria Rachal • April 5, 2022

Municipal broadband: Using today’s technology to support your community’s future

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Amidst the...

By Chase Gregory • April 1, 2022

Gatik signals start of ‘hyper-growth’ phase with EV partnership

The autonomous middle-mile delivery operator is set to team up with ChargePoint to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure across its North American locations.

By Kate Magill • April 1, 2022

Ventilation optimization: The key to decarbonizing public buildings

Ventilation optimization: The key to decarbonizing public buildings

By Dan Diehl • March 30, 2022